Experience – The most experienced solar installer in Sonoma County Area, Summit has been dedicated to installing high-performing renewable energy systems since 1990. We have been in the Electrical business for 50 years, we can evaluate your electrical needs and draw the nexus between your power use and what you could be paying for your power as well as giving you energy-saving tips that would save energy without a large outlay of cash. Over the years, our team has been constantly learning and improving, making every installation even better than the last. Customers leverage this experience to ensure that their solar project will be finished on-time and on-budget. Our projects generate revenue quickly and without any the last minute financial surprises so often associated with projects of this size.

Expertise – Not all solar contractors are electricians. Summit has highly trained electrical professionals, which allows us to provide one of the finest and most affordable Solar Electric services throughout all of Northern California. As a full-service Electrical Contracting Company we provide turn key PV solar systems from design to finished installation. Not only are we a complete Solar Electric Company but we are Professional Electricians capable of all electrical tasks including commercial and residential wiring.

Customer Focus – We’re small enough to give each customer personalized attention and support yet big enough to have the resources to work on almost any sized project. Our customers can continue to focus their attention on their core business concerns because our staff will meticulously track and communicate every detail of a project from start to finish.

Customer Satisfaction – The best measurement of a company’s success is repeat business and referrals. A large portion of our business is generated either from a referral or a follow-up project being done by one of our existing customers.

Locally Based, Locally Focused – Many solar companies choose to dilute their resources by establishing geographically diverse offices. At Summit we have found that being the best requires a dedication to a more localized service area allowing us to better understand state subsidy programs, utility company regulations, and better navigate application processes.

Being a locally based company also assures that our customers will get quicker response times and better service for years to come. Talk to a sales person today Chances are good that we have successfully implemented a project very similar to yours. If we have not, our years of expertise will guide us to the best alternative for your specific needs. 707-542-4773 or e-mail at Green@summit-e.com

Solar Panels are made of Silicon.  When sunlight is absorbed by the Silicon, it releases electrons.  When released, those electrons only have one place they want to go; ground.  The solar panel and associated wiring direct those free-wheeling electrons to the route to ground that will generate power for you; Power that you can use in your home or to sell back to the utility for other buildings to use.

In most cases, no; your system is designed to work along with your utility.  If the system detects that there is no power available from the grid, it shuts down.  This is a code requirement that protects the utility lineman from shock hazards that would be created from a system sending power into the grid without their knowledge.  However, it is possible to set up batteries that are charged by the output of your solar array.  In that case, you would have power until those batteries were spent.  The more batteries, the more storage and the longer you will have power while your utility is down.

Most panel manufacturers warranty their modules for 20 or 25 years.  That’s a long warranty.  Although there are not many systems in the US that have been around that long, there’s known to be systems in California approaching 40 years and still running strong.

Your roof needs to be in good condition simply because you don’t want to incur the cost of removing the solar to replace the roof.  Generally, if a roof has at least 10 years left on its manufacturer warranty, it should be OK.  Solar panels can actually extend the life of the roof because it will be shaded from the sun and won’t get as hot.

Solar electric systems require little maintenance.  In our area, normal rainfall cycles may keep the panels clean enough during the rainy season.  During dry periods, it is a good idea to hose them off with a garden hose (just don’t do it when it’s very sunny out).  I good rule to live by is that if you have a lot of dust or pollen on your car, there’s likely just as much on your panels and you should hose them off.  We also offer twice yearly (or more often if your array is in an agricultural area prone to dust and pollen) maintenance programs.  An additional service that we offer along the lines of maintenance is to reposition your array to take best advantage of the position of the sun in the different seasons.

There are many. Typically, you can greatly reduce your electric bill or even eliminate it altogether.  Combine that with the Federal Investment Tax Credit and the Solar Renewable Energy Credit program and the costs are reduced to the point where your system can pay a rate of return much higher than the stock market or bank deposits.  Lastly, it helps the environment – every Solar electric system installed is like planting acres of trees.

Call Summit today at 707-542-4773 or click the link below to fill out a questionnaire here that will give our team what they need to start charting your power-generation needs and goals.  Here comes the SUN!